The Nintendo Wii is one year old, and today Nintendo celebrates the new …

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To celebrate the first anniversary of the sales monster known as the Nintendo Wii, Nintendo has sent out an interesting fact sheet that shows some of the inroads that the system has made into the mainstream audience. Some of them were expected, some of them were surprising, and they all prove that gaming, at least for Nintendo, is reaching a whole new audience.

Wii has been consistently sold out since it launched on Nov. 19, 2006

More than 69% of Big Brain Academy Wii Degree games have been registered online by Canadians aged 44 years and older

According to Amazon.com, the Wii is the number one gift item for wedding registries

The Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital in Alberta is using Wii to help its patients with movement and balance issues

Studeo 55, a fitness facility in Vancouver, has incorporated a Wii workout station into circuit training

Home Instead seniors' homes across Canada have brought the Wii in for special games nights and tournaments

This is a list for the Canadian press, but after having seen stories like this and others for the Wii in the United States, it's pretty safe to say this kind of thing is universal. I have so many friends who were barely into gaming who now have Wiis, and when your grandparents start asking you to bring your system over.... well, something is going on.

Happy first birthday, Wii, I hope to see more of you on the shelves in the coming year!